speaker, leaders reid and mcconnell. today when congress bestows the congressional gold medal on arnold palmer, we will be honoring a living legend. he is an icon of american sports and a success in all of his endeavors. a humanitarian, businessman, philanthropist. he personifies the american dream, the idea that anyone can travel as far as their talent will carry them. we think him for his service in the coast guard, for protecting that american dream for all americans. born to humble beginnings and raised in latrobe, pennsylvania, arnold rose from blue-collar roots to becoming the king, the king of golf. as king of golf, he raised up arnold's army. he always demonstrated etiquette, courtesy and friendship to fans and competitors alike. as arnie's army followed him on the course, he taught everyone about perseverance and discipline. he taught us that you can be six strokes ahead, and still lose. but you can be strikes -- six strokes behind and still win. as he said, he always made a total effort, even when the odds seem